Mechanism for coin operated vending machines



April 20, 1965 F. 1-. MURPHY MECHANISM FOR COIN OPERATED VENDING MACHINES Filed Jan. 29, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Franc/s I Mum/1y BY Um, 47k flavwzc igs April 20, 1965 F. 1-. MURPHY 3,

MECHANISM FOR COIN OPERATED VENDING MACHINES Filed Jan. 29, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 [l8 I06 //0 i IN VENTOR FIG. 3 I Franc/s I Murphy April 20, 1965 MURPHY 3,179,225

MECHANISM FOR COIN OPERATED VENDING MACHINES Filed Jan. 29, 1963 4 Sheets-Shet 3 50 I70) lot, 250

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April 20, 1965 F. 1. MURPHY MECHANISM FOR COIN OPERATED VENDING MACHINES Filed Jan. 29, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Francis Z Murphy sm wow zmmm ll IIIIIIHI I L 4 United States Patent Office 3,179,225 Patented Apr. 20, 1965 3,179,225 MECHANISM FOR COIN OPERATED Y VENDING MACHINES Francis T. Murphy, Chicago, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 29, 1963, Ser. No. 254,628 12 Claims. (Cl. 194-2) This invention relates to improved mechanisms for coin operated vending machines. In particular, the invention is directed to coin handling mechanisms for such machines which are effective for initiating a vend and which are adapted to efficiently and accurately record the amount of money accumulated in the machine over a period of time.

It is recognized by the prior art that it is desirable to provide means for counting all of the money included in a vending machine. The provision of means which will provide a total of all the money inserted in a machine greatly facilitates record keeping and, in addition, provides a valuable check against pilfering. In the past, difficulties have arisen since in many cases the mechanisms employed for totaling the money inserted in a machine have been unable to account for certain variations in the operation of the machine. For example, such counting mechanisms provide for counting of the money as it is inserted, and, therefore, if a refund takes place, the count ill be inaccurate. If a provision is made for correcting the count, it has been found that the mechanisms utilized have been unduly complicated or unreliable.

It is an object of this invention to provide a mechanism for the handling of coins in a vending machine which is relatively simple in its operation and which provides a reliable count wereby the keeping of records for the machine will be greatly facilitated and a check on pilfering will be provided.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a coin handling mechanism which is characterized by high efiiciency in that it is adapted to record the amount of money inserted in the machine only after a vend has been initiated whereby the possibility of error is greatly reduced and the necessity for correcting mechanisms is eliminated.

These and other objects of this invention will appear hereinafter and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, specific embodiments of this invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational View of a mounting panel and associated mechanisms comprising means characterized by the concepts of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the credit accumulating mechanism which forms, a part of this invention;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the credit accumulating mechanism shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view, partly cut away, of the credit pulsing unit which forms a part of this invention;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the credit pulsing unit taken about the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4; and,

FIGURE 6 is a circuit diagram which characterizes the mechanisms of this invention.

The concepts of this invention are particularly suitable for use in combination with a vending machine of the type referred to in copending application, Serial No. 176, 273, filed February 28, 1962. The mechanisms of this invention will'be described with reference to the structure illustrated in this copendingapplication; however, it Will jority of the components included in the mechanisms of the instant invention. These components include a transformer 12, a rectifier 14 and a fuse box 16. A counter means 18 is also provided on this board, and it will be understood that this mechanism may comprise any of several conventional types adapted to record the amount of money inserted in the machine. 7

A plurality of relays are mounted on the board and these include reset relaysrcomprising latch relay 20 and trip relay 22. A vend relay 24 is positioned at the side of the reset relays while 10, 25 and 50 relays 26, 28 and 30, respectively, are situated beneath the reset relays. A scavenger relay 32 is mounted adjacent these other relays.

The mechanism also includes a pricing panel 34 which has a plurality of conductive pricing bars 36 formed in its face. Each of these bars represents a different pricing possibility for the unit and a plurality of leads 38 are connected to these bars and these leads are associated with the vending mechanisms for the apparatus. In the vending machine referred to in the aforementioned copending application, 40 different compartments are provided. Since 10 pricing bars 36 are included in the illustrated structure, it will beapparent that the goods to be vended from the aforesaid compartments can be sold at any of 10 different prices. Several leads 38 can be con nected to the same bar 36 whereby the goods in different compartments will be sold at the same price.

Each of the bars 36 has a lead 40 connected thereto. These leads are attached to any 10 of the lugs 42 associated with the credit accumulator 44. This accumulator comprises a printed circuit board 46 having a plurality of radially extending conductive strips 48 formed thereon. Each of these strips 48 includes a terminal portion 50 and a common circular strip 52 is electrically isolated from these terminal portions. A takeoff strip 54 is provided for the strip 52.

A rotary contact arm 56 is associated with the credit accumulator and this arm includes a first contact 58 adapted to engage each of the terminal portions 50 as it rotates. A second contact 60 is positioned to engage the common strip 52 and the contacts 58 and 60 are electrically connected by means of a conductive strip 61 formed on the underside of the arm 56.

A pulsing unit 62 is also associated with the mounting board 10. This unit, also illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, includes a cam 64 having diametrically opposed recesses 66 formed in its periphery. A pair of follower arms 70 and 72, associated with switches 74 and 76 respectively, are adapted to ride on the periphery of the cam 64 and are adapted to move into the recesses 66 during each rotation of the cam;

The cam 64 carries contacts 78, 80, and 3-2 which extend downwardly to engage printed circuit board 84. These contacts are electrically connected by means of the lead 86. The cam 64 and its associated shaft 88 are op eratively connected to the motor 90 whereby rotation of the cam and traversing of the board 84 by the contacts 78, 80 and 82 can be effected.

FIGURES 2 and 3 illustrate the mechanisms employed for operating the credit accumulator 44. These mechanisms include a ratchet 92 which is tied to the shaft 94, this shaft in turn providing for rotary movement of the arm 56 connected thereto on the opposite side of the board 46. A ratchet step-up coil 96 and its associated core 98 provide for pivoting of the lever 100 about the pin 102. A limit stop 103 which is adapted to be adjusted by'means of screw 105 determines the extent of movement of the core 98 and lever 100, v

The end 104 of the lever 100'has a spring 106 connected thereto. A post 108 formed in the mounting plate 109 is connected to the other end of this spring and the lever 100 is therefore normally urged whereby it will engage the limit stop 103.

A pawl 110 is pivotally connected to the lever 190 at 116. The pawl includes a depending portion 112 adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet 92. An outwardly extending portion 114 is also formed in the pawl and this portion forms a release means whereby the pawl can be pivoted in opposition to the action of spring 118 connected thereto. The spring 118 normally urges the pawl into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet.

A coil 120 and associated core 122 are provided for resetting the ratchet 92 in a step-by-step fashion. An arm 124 is operatively connected to the core 122 and this arm includes a pawl 126 and an extension 128 which provides for fastening of the spring 118. The arm 124 is adapted to pivot about the shaft 130 and a second arm 132 is located above the arm 124 and is also pivotally secured to the shaft. The arm 132 includes a pawl 133 and a downwardly extending portion 137. This portion of the arm 132 engages the edge of the pawl 126 and the spring 134 normally holds the portion 137 against the pawl 126.

A coil spring 139 is wrapped around the shaft 94 and an extension 135 of this spring is secured to the shaft 130. The other end 136 of the spring is fastened to :1 spoke 138 of the ratchet 92. The coil spring 139 normally urges the ratchet into opposition to the action of the step-up coil 96. Referring to FIGURE 2, the stepup coil will move the ratchet in a clockwise direction while the spring 139 normally urges the ratchet in a counterclockwise direction.

In operation, each energization of the step-up coil 96 pulls in the core 98 and the pawl 112 on the lever 100 is moved to an adjacent tooth of the ratchet. The pawl 126 on the arm 124 prevents counterclockwise movement of the ratchet when the pawl 112 is being pushed. When the coil 96 is de-energized, the action of the spring 106 forces the lever 100 to pivot thereby causing the pawl 112 to push the ratchet through one increment of rotation.

After the ratchet has been stepped-up, the coil 120 will serve to reset the ratchet in a step-by-step manner. Thus, when the core 122 is pulled in, the pawl 126 will move away from the ratchet 92 engaging portion 114 of pawl 110 to release the latter from the ratchet while the pawl 133 will move toward the ratchet. A small amount of ratchet rotation, due to the action of spring 139, is permitted before the pawl 133 engages a tooth of the ratchet. When the coil 120 is de-energized, the pawl 126 will move back to engage the tooth adjacent the previously engaged tooth.

A total reset coil 140 is also included on the mounting board 109 whereby the ratchet 92 can be moved back to the zero position in one movement thereby eliminating the need for a step-by-step resetting action. This total reset of the ratchet is elfected when a refund is to be carried out and the accumulation of money in the machine is not to be recorded.

The coil 140 includes a core 142 which is connected to the arm 144. This arm pivots about the shaft 146 and includes an extension 148 which is located in the path of movement of the pawl 133 but which is normally held away from this pawl through the action of spring 149. When it is desired to completely reset the ratchet, the coil 140 is energized along with the coil 120. When this takes place, the arm 14$ moves out thereby preventing movement of the pawl 133 into the path of the ratchet teeth. The pawl 126 is, however, moved out of engagement with the ratchet since the arm 124 can move independent of the arm 132. Such movement of pawl 126 also releases pawl 112. With all three pawls 112, 126 and 133 disengaged from the ratchet, the spring 139 will cause the ratchet to rotate to its zero position. A stud 151 on the underside of the ratchet will swing around to engage plate 153 to provide the limit stop for the ratchet movement.

Also fixed to the ratchet is a switch actuating stud 152 which will engage the extension 155 of the switch 150 when the ratchet returns to zero position. The action will open contacts 157 of the switch and close contacts 159.

FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate certain details of the pulsing unit 62 and the associated printed circuit board 84. This board includes a circular conductive strip 154 and a take-off 156 which provides the common for the pulsing unit. This strip 154 is engaged by the contact 80 during rotation of the cam 64.

The diametrically opposed contacts 78 and 82 are positioned whereby they will engage conductive portion 158 comprising the 10 pulsing contacts, conductive portion 160 comprising the 25 pulsing contacts and conductive portion 162 comprising the 50 pulsing contacts. The portion 158 includes two conductive fingers 164, the portion 169 five conductive fingers 166 and the portion 162 10 conductive fingers 168. The contacts 73 and 82 are also positioned to engage conductive portions 170 and 172 which are provided for the vending of articles at no charge.

To provide for rotation of the cam 64, the shaft 88 is driven by means of a gear train 174 associated with the motor 90. The circuitry for the pulsing unit is such that the motor will drive the cam through each time it is energized. The cam 64 begins rotation from the position shown in FIGURE 1 wherein the follower 72 is received within one recess 66. The cam rotates in the clockwise direction and at this time, the follower 72 is moved out of the recess thereby closing contacts 178 and opening contacts 176 of the switch 76. As will appear, the closing of the contacts 178 provides a holding circuit for the pulsing motor. After about 170 of rotation, the follower 70 will move into a recess 66, as shown in FIGURE 4, thereby opening switch 74. This provides for breaking of a holding circuit for the reset relays. At 180 of rotation, the follower 72 will again fall into a recess 66 and the holding circuit for the pulsing motor is then broken whereby the rotation of the cam 64 will cease.

The over-all operation of the mechanism including the concepts of this invention will be best understood when considering the circuit diagram shown in FIGURE 6. It must be noted when considering this diagram that certain elements referred to above are illustrated schematically therein. With reference to the credit accumulator 44, a two-headed arrow 180 represents the rotary contact arm 56 while the terminals 182 correspond to those terminals 50 which are tied through lugs 42 and conductors 40 to the bars 36. As previously noted, each of the bars 36 provides a different price at which articles to be vended are to be sold. The particular terminal 50 on the accumulator which is tied to a bar 36 determines the price represented by that bar since the number of pulses required for moving the contact arm 56 to a particular terminal 50 will correspond to the price of a given bar. Thus, each monetary increment will move the contact arm 56 one step, and, accordingly, the more monetary units necessary to reach a particular terminal, the higher will be the price of the article to be vended.

The contacts '78, 80 and 82 on .the cam 64 are represented by the two-headed arrow 184 associated with the pulsing unit 62 in the circuit diagram. In the diagrammatic illustration, the arrow 184 connects the common i154 and the fingers 164, 166 and 168.

The two-headed arrow 186 comprises a bridging contact associated with a selector dial positioned on the exterior of the vending machine. This contact connects the common 188 .with the contacts 190 and the leads 33 are provided for connecting the bars 36 to these contacts. A similar two-headed arrow 192 also represents lbridging contacts associated .with the selector dial. This contact connects common 194 and contacts 196 whereby individual vend coils 193 can be brought into the normally closed switch 230.

operating circuit. Again referring to the aforementioned copending application, it will be noted that 40 different vending possibilities are provided. When the selector dial is moved to any one of these positions, the contacts 186 and 192 will be situated adjacent contacts 190 and 196 respectively, which contacts will correspond to the same vend selection.

As coins are inserted into the machine, they will trip one of the switches consisting of the 5 switch 200, the switch 202, the 25 switch 204 and the 50 switch 206. Tripping of the switch 200 will deliver a pulse through normally closed switch 208 directly to the credit stepnp coil 96. Accordingly, the accumulator contact .arm 56 will index to an adjacent terminal 50 each time a nickel is inserted.

Tripping of the switch 202 by a dime will energize 10 relay 26 and this relay operates to close switch 210 whereby the pulsing motor 90 will be energized. The relay 26 also closes switch 212 so that movement of the pulsing motor will result in delivery of two pulses to the step-up coil 96 as one of the contacts 78 or 82 engage the conductive fingers 164 on the board 84. The coil 26 also closes a switch 214 whereby a holding circuit for this coil is provided through the switch 178. When this latter switch is opened during rotation of the cam 64, the holding circuit for the relay 26 is opened and the switches 210, i212. and 214 will be opened. The pulsing motor will then be de-energized when the switch 74 is opened after 180" of rotation.

Tripping of the switch 204 by a quarter provides a similar sequence of operation. Thus, the coil 28 operates to close switch 214 to energize the pulsing motor and switch 216 to energize the credit step-up coil. The coil 28 provides its own holding circuit through switch 218. Fi-ve pulses will be delivered to the credit step-up coil as the contacts 78 or 82 engage conductive fingers 166.

The 50 relay 30 is energized through trip switch 206 and switch 220 provides for operation of the pulsing motor while switch 222 serves to energize the step-up coil '96. Switch 224 closes a holding circuit for the relay 30 which again is broken when the switch 178 opens.

The position of the dial selector will determine the number of steps which must be taken by the accumulator before a vend cycle can be initiated. Assuming that the purchaser selects the number one article, the vend cycle will be initiated when the accumulator has stepped-up sufiiciently to reach the price represented by the bar 36 designated .by the letter H. When this occurs, as suggested by the arrow 180, a circuit is completed by the accumulator 44 which operates to energize the vend coil 24. This circuit is completed through switch 150 which is illustrated in its normally closed position in FIGURE 6 but which has moved to its normally open position due to movement of the ratchet 92. The circuit includes norrnally closed switch 226, switch 228, common 52, the bar 36, its associated conductor 38, common 188, and

When the coil 24 is energized, it operates to close switch 232 to provide its own holding circuit. When the vend coil 24 has been energized, it operates to close switch 234 to thereby energize rectifier 14-. Since the arrow 192 represents the position of the selector dial, the vend initiating solenoid 198 will operate to deliver the article selected. The solenoids 198 may correspond to the solenoids 70 referred to in the aforementioned application. Thus, energization of one of the solenoids 198 will operate to position the mechanisms in the book vending machine which are adapted to deliver an article from a particular compartment therein. A locking solenoid 235 is also operated when the rectifier 14 is energized and this solenoid operates means for holding the selector dial in position whereby the purchaser cannot change the selecti-on'once the vend cycle is initiated.

The coil 24' also operates to energize vend motor 236 6 through switch 238. Again this vend motor may be of the same type as the vend motor described in the aforementioned copending application.

The switch 240 is also closed by the coil 24 and this switch serves to energize reset relay 20 and escrow collect coil 242. The latter operates to collect the money inserted in the machine while the relay 20 initiates operation of the mechanisms required for resetting the accumulator to the zero position. The reset relay employed for this application comprises a latch type relay whereby it will hold its own mechanically until it is mechanically de-energized through operation of the trip relay 22.

When the reset relay is energized, the switch 208 is moved to its normally open position to energize the pulsing motor 90. In addition, the switch 244 is closed whereby the counter coil 18 is connected to the fingers 168 of the pulsing unit 62. The switch 246 is also moved to its normally open position whereby the credit reset relay will also be connected to the fingers 168.

With this arrangement, operation of the pulsing motor will deliver pulses to the counter 18 when the contacts on the cam 64 engage the fingers 168. These pulses in addition to stepping-up the counter to record .the number of pulses which stepped-up the accumulator will also energize the coil 120 whereby the accumulator will be stepped-down. If more than 10 .pulses are required, it will be appreciated that the pulsing motor will begin a new cycle since the switch 208 will continue to provide power for starting the pulsing motor.

Stepping-up of the counter will cease as soon as the accumulator reaches the zero position since at this time, the switch will move to is normally closed position, and thereby energize trip relay 22 through switch 250, which has been closed through operation of the relay 20. The trip coil de-energizes the relay 20 whereby switch 244 will be opened. Even if the pulsing motor has not completed its cycle, it will not deliver additional pulses to the counter once the switch 244 has been opened.

The construction of this invention also provides for refund of money inserted at any time prior to energization of the vend coil 24. This refund is accomplished through switch 228 which can be moved to its normally opened position through a push button on the outside of the machine. A circuit is completed through this switch through normally closed switch 226 and through switch 150 which is in its normally open position whenever the accumulator is away from the zero position. This operation serves to energize escrow collection coil 252 whereby the money held in escrow will be delivered to the purchaser. In addition, the reset coils 120 and 140 are energized simultaneously whereby the accumulator will move in one operation back to its zero position. Finally, the coin return operation provides for energization of scavenger coil 32. This coil operates to close switch 254 whereby a holding circuit for the coil 252 will be provided through switch 178. The purpose of the scavenger coil 32 is to maintain the coil 252 energized for a time sufficient to permit removal of all coins in the escrow container. The scavenger coil also operates to close switch 256 which energizes pulsing motor 90. When the operation of the pulsing motor effects opening of the switch 178 after rotation, the scavenger coil will be de-energized.

Means are also provided for delaying completion of a vend cycle until after the accumulator has been reset to the zero position. These means include a normally closed switch 260 which is adapted to be opened by the reset relay 20 when this relay is energized. This switch 260 provides a holding circuit through switch 262 for the vend motor 236. The switch 262 will close after the initial movement of the vend motor. A normally closed switch 264 is situated in the line for the vend relay 24 and this switch is adapted to open after closing of the switch 262 whereby the vend relay will be de-energized.

An additional switch 266 also comprises a mechanical switch adapted to be operated by the vend motor. This '2' switch is adapted to open after about 270 of rotation of the vend motor. If the reset relay is still energized after the vend motor has completed this portion of its cycle, then the switch 26d will also be open and the vend motor will stop. When the reset relay has de-energized, the switch 260 will be closed to thereby restart the vend motor until it completes its cycle. The switch 2&2 will be mechanically opened by the vent motor at this time.

The normally closed switch 176 which is operated through rotation of the cam 64 provides for energization of coin lock-out coil 268. This coil must be energized in order to permit the passage of money through the slug rejector or into contact with the coin trip switches. This coil will be de-energized during rotation of the cam 64 of the pulsing unit. The construction of this invention has been found to be particularly suitable for use in combination with the book vending machine above mentioned since a machine of this nature is adapted to carry a large number as Well as a large variety of articles. It is desirable to provide a counting mechanism on machines of this nature since they are adapted to build-up a relatively large accumulation of coins in the course of their use.

The above description provides for the use of the mechanisms of this invention in combination with a machine handling only coins. It Will be appreciated, however, that the principles of the invention are equally suited for the handling of coins of different denominations than those referred to and, in addition, can be adapted to use in machines which handle currency. Furthermore, the adaptation of the concepts of this invention are also intended for use in combination with vending machines capable of delivering change in addition to providing for vending when the correct change is inserted. The appended claims are thus not to be limited to particular monetary descriptions or to particular types of coin handling devices. v

It will also be understood that various other changes and modifications can be made in the above described constructions which provide the characteristics of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof particularly as defined in the following claims.

That which is claimed is:

1. In a vending machine, a credit accumulating mechanism adapted to index to a predetermined position to thereby initiate each vend in accordance with the deposit of a predetermined amount of money in the machine and to efiect collection of said money, means for stepby-step resetting said accumulating mechanism to a zero position during and prior to compietion of each vend, counter means operatively associated with said accumulating mechanism, and means for operating said counter means in response to and simultaneously with each resetting step of said accumulating mechanism whereby the amount of money collected for each and successive vends will be recorded on and totalized by said counter means.

2. A vending machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said counter means includes an electrical coil adapted to be energized by pulses developed for etiecting resetting movement of said accumulating mechanism, a normally open switch in a circuit carrying said pulses to said counter, and means operatively controlled by said resetting means to effect closing and opening of said switch when said accumulating mechanism is in its said predetermined and zero positions respectively whereby said coil will be energized only during resetting movement of said accumulating mechanism.

3. A vending machine in accordance with claim 2 including means for resetting of said accumulating mechanism wthout energization of said coil and operation of said counter, said last mentioned means including a pair of credit reset coils, means operated by said coils for resetting said accumulating mechanism to its Zero position without step-by-step movement and pulse energization o of said coil, and a manually operable push botton switch accessible from the outside of said machine for effecting energization of said reset coils and consequent operation of said last mentioned means.

4. In a vending machine of the type including a plurality of compartments, vend means for each of said compartments for ejecting articles therefrom, selector means adapted to selectively condition each of said vend means for operation, a credit accumulating mechanism adapted to index to a predetermined position for each vend to thereby initiate operation of said conditioned vend means in accordance with the deposit of a predetermined amount of money in the machine, and to effect collection of said amount of money, means for stepby-step resetting said accumulating mechanism to zero position after initiation of each vend, counter means operatively associated with and controlled by said accumulating mechanism, and means for operating said counter means in response to initiation of the operation of said vend means and according to the number of resetting steps of said accumulating mechanism whereby the amount of money collected for each vend is recorded on said counter means.

5. A vending machine in accordance with claim 4 wherein said accumulating mechanism comprises a circuit board and a plurality of terminals formed thereon with each terminal corresponding to a different vend price and each adapted to be placed in circuit with a selected vend means for initiating operation or" the same, contact means for successively engaging said terminals, a pulsing uni-t operable to develop pulses equated to the deposited money, a step-up means adapted to move said contact means according to the said pulses developed by said pulsing unit whereby said contact means is engaged with a predetermined one of said terminals, in accordance with the amount of money deposited in the machine, said countcr means including an operating coil, and means responsive to operation of said resetting means and accumulating mechanism for developing additional pulses from said pulsing unit equal to the number of pulses used for operating said step-up means; the said coil of said counter being energized by said additional pulses.

6. A vending machine in accordance with claim 5 including a normally open switch in a circuit for carrying said pulses to said counter, and wherein operation of said resetting means is adapted to ehfect closing of said switch and resetting of said accumulating mechanism to Zero posit-ion effects opening of said switch whereby said coil for .the counter will be energized only during resetting of said accumulating mechanism.

7. A vending machine in accordance with claim 6 including means for resetting of said accumulating mechanism without energization of the coil of said counter, said last mentioned means including a pair of credit reset coils, means operated by said coils for releasing said accumulating mechanism from said step-up means and said resetting means and permitting the same to return to its Zero position, and a push button switch accessible from the outside of said machine for effecting energization of said coils and consequent operation of said last mentioned means.

8. In a vending machine including an accumulating mechanism, means for stepping-up said accumulating mechanism in response to insertion of money in said machine, means for initiating the vend of an article and for thereupon commencing step-down resetting of said accumulating mechanism when said accumulating mechanism reaches a predetermined position, counter means for totalizing the amount of money inserted for each and a plurality of successive vending cycles, and means for energizing said counter as said accumulating mechanism is stepped-down and according to the stepped actuations thereof whereby the number of steps taken by said accumulating mechanism is recorded on said counter for each and successive vend cycles.

9. A vending machine in accordance with claim 8 wherein the means for stepping-up said accumulating mechanism comprises a first coil and the means for resetting said accumulating mechanism comprises a second coil, a pulsing unit for energizing said first coil by a number of pulses equated to the value of money inserted into said machine, said pulsing unit also operating when said vend is initiated to simultaneously deliver the same said number of pulses to said counter and said second coil for operatively energizing the same until said accumulating mechanism reaches zero position.

10. A vending machine in accordance with claim 9 including a third coil, a refund switch operable from the exterior of said machine, means for simultaneously energizing said second and third coils responsive to operation of said refund switch, resilient means associated with said accumulating mechanism adapted to uninterruptedly return said mechanism to zero position responsive to energization of said second and third coils, and means for preventing energization of said counter when said second and third coils are so energized.

11. In a vending machine having a plurality of article storage compartments, vend means associated with each of said compartments 'for ejecting one article at a time therefrom, an electrical pricing means having a plurality of separate pricing conductors, an accumulator mechanism comprising a plurality of separate terminals corresponding to and each in circuit with one of said pricing conductors movable contact means adapted to be selectively stepped into engagement with each of said terminals and means for intermittently Stepping said movable contact means; manual selector means adapted to electrically couple each of said vend means selectively with a predetermined one of said pricing conductors determinative of the vend price of the articles associated with said each vend means pulsing means capable of developing electrical pulse signals in response to the deposit of money in the machine with each pulse signal developed thereby representing a selected monetary unit of value, means electrically coupling said pulsing means and stepping means for stepping the movable contact means in one direction and into engagement with a predetermined one of said terminals corresponding to the unit value of the deposited vend price satisfying a selected vend means and pricing conductor, means operable upon engagement of said movable contact means with each said predetermined terminal for effecting operation of the vend means in circuit with the latter thereby to initiate a vend cycle, means operable upon initiation of a vend cycle for operating said pulsing means to produce additional pulse signals, means operatively responsive to said additional pulse signals to step down said movable contact means and zeroize said accumulator mechanism, counter means associated with said pulsing means and operatively responsive to said additional pulse signals for counting the number thereof required to zeroize said accumulator mechanism, and means operated by said accumulator mechanism for electrically isolating said counter means from said pulsing means when said accumulator mechanism is zeroized; the number of pulses registered by said counter means thus corresponding to the total unit monetary value utilized to actuate said accumulator mechanism to a vend initiating condition for each vend cycle, with such values for successive cycles being cumulatively totalized thereby.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11 including additional means associated with said vend means for delaying completion of a vend cycle until after said accumulator mechanism has been Zeroized, said additional means being rendered ineffective upon operation of said means for isolating said counter means from said Dulsing means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,523,516 9/50 Potter 235 X 2,535,461 12/50 Skillman l94-.02 2,740,581 4/56 Komusin 194-.02 2,802,473 8/57 Keefe 194.02 2,876,883 3/59 Baker et a1. 194-.02 2,995,229 8/61 West 2222 ROBERT B. REEVES, Acting Primary Examiner.

ERNEST A, FALLER, JR., Examiner, 

1. IN A VENDING MACHINE, A CREDIT ACCUMULATING MECHANISM ADAPTED TO INDEX TO A PREDETERMINED POSITION TO THEREBY INITIATE EACH VEND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DEPOSIT OF A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE MACHINE AND TO EFFECT COLLECTION OF SAID MONEY, MEANS FOR STEPBY-STEP RESETTING SAID ACCUMULATING MECHANISM TO A ZERO POSITIONN DURING AND PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF EACH VEND, COUNTER MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ACCUMULATING MECHANISM, AND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID COUNTER MEANS IN RESPONSE TO AND SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH EACH RESETTING STEP OF SAID ACCUMULATING MECHANISM WHEREBY THE AMOUNT OF MONEY COLLECTED FOR EACH AND SUCCESSIVE VENDS WILL BE RECORDED ON AND TOTALIZED BY SAID COUNTER MEANS. 